We should be able to plan our careers the same way we plan anything else in our lives. But college doesn't teach us how to network or get that promotion, especially in corporate America. Putting our heads down and working as hard as we can is getting us nowhere. We need new skills. So, we need to listen to someone who has been through it and can help us get to where we want to be. Elsa Jimenez is a powerhouse first-gen Latina in tech on a mission to bridge the gap between high-performance code and holistic well-being. By day, she navigates the complexities of the tech industry, championing representation and breaking barriers for underrepresented voices in the digital space. Beyond the screen, Elsa Jimenez is a dedicated advocate for mental health and fitness, believing that a strong mind is the ultimate operating system. She views movement and mindfulness not just as hobbies, but as essential tools for resilience in the fast-paced corporate world. Whether she's optimizing a workflow or hitting a new PR in the gym, she brings a signature blend of cultural pride, grit, and authenticity to everything she touches.  In this week's episode, we're talking about how Elsa broke into tech, survived a layoff, and built her personal brand. Our careers are not as safe as they used to be, especially with tech layoffs looming over our shoulders every quarter. But that doesn't mean we don't have control over our own lives. Elsa used her time in the Courage Driven Latina program to plan for the best and worst case scenarios in her career, specifically so she doesn't feel panicked when something doesn't go according to plan. Tune in to this week's episode to hear how she used the CDL program to advance her career and what she's currently working on to get ahead in this year's CDL group.    Resources Mentioned: Click here to claim your Manifest Your Marca bot!   Follow Elsa on: Instagram: @vibinwithelsa  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elsamjimenez/    Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn Website: http://www.theerikacruz.com How to work with Erika: Sign up for the Courage Driven Latina program here! Join the waitlist for the Magnetic Mastermind here!   Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST, an Afro-Latina-owned boutique podcast production and copywriting studio.